Gluten and Casein

Free Diets
for Autism
By Michelle Ripley

Overview

Why is it important?
What is Autism Spectrum?
What foods contain Gluten and Casein?
Study 1- Effectiveness of diet based on
parental report
Study 2- Effectiveness of diet based on
known scales
Conclusion
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Why is this important?

Autism diagnoses have risen

1 in 110 children
Can we help with nutrition?

Talk about an Autism Diet

Books, celebrities
Is this effective?

What is the Autism

Spectrum?

Range of conditions defined by pervasive

developmental disorders
Starts before age 3, and causes delays into
adulthood
Symptoms

Behavioral

Tantrums, lack of eye contact, hyper responsiveness

Physiological

GI distress, constipation or diarrhea

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Gluten and Casein

Gluten

Wheat, rye, barely

Casein

Milk protein

Pasta, Bread, Cereals, Muffins, Cakes

Dairy products, added to some meats, fast food, even

non-dairy foods

Food challenge shows increased GI

inflammation
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Study 1

Effectiveness of GF and CF
diet based on parental report

Effectiveness of GF and CF
diet based on parental report

Surveyed over 400 eligible

parents/caregivers of a child with autism
Diet effectiveness assessed based on
number of improved symptoms

Based on diet compliance and length of diet

Three categories of improvement

ASD Behaviors, Physiological, and Social behavior

Improved Behaviors

Improvement with Diet

Errors

Improvements based on Prior

Symptoms

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Effectiveness of GF and CF
diet based on parental report

91.2% of children in study had a positive

benefit from the diet
Must be compliant in diet to see benefits
Diet may be helpful, but more research needs
to be done

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Study 2
Scanbrit dietary intervention
for children with ASD

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Scanbrit dietary intervention

for children with ASD

Randomized, controlled, single-blind study

72 Danish children between 4 and 11 years
old
Urinary tests done to test diet compliance
Used ADOS, GARS, VABS, and ADHD
scales to evaluate changes
Measured baseline, 8 months, 12 months,
and 24 months
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Scanbrit dietary intervention

for children with ASD.. cont

Two groups

Group A (Dietary Intervention)

Group B (No dietary intervention)

Used 3 scenarios to evaluate data

Scenario 1 - Used group A first 12 Months and

group B final 12 months
Scenario 2 Compared 12 months with diet and
12 months without
Scenario 3 24-month diet compared with
baseline
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Explanation of Scales

ADOS Autism Diagnostic Observation

Schedule

Algorithm score for core areas

Communication, Social Interaction, Repetitive Behaviors

GARS Gilliam Autism Rating Scale

Scale questionnaire measuring symptoms of ASD

Social Interaction, communication, stereotyped

behaviors and developmental disturbances

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Explanation of Scales.. cont

VABS- Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale

Parental report questionnaire based on multiple

domains

communication, socialization, daily living skills

ADHD IV- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder IV rating scale

Based on criteria for ADHD, parent report of

hyperactivity

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Scanbrit Results

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Scanbrit Results.. cont

Scores lowered for all measurements except

for in VABS
Majority of children had low to moderately low
category of functionality according to VABS

Variables may account for this

Significant group improvements in core

autistic and related behaviors present after 8
and 12 months
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Conclusion of GF and CF
diets

No adverse effects of diet

Significant improvements in behavior

Compliance of diet is critical

Inattention, hyperactivity, social behaviors

Breaking diet < 2 times a year for optimal results

Length of diet is important, 8-12 months to

see greatest improvements
More behavior improvements seen in
children who have GI symptoms or allergies
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Thank you!

Any questions?

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